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Consumption Of Popular Fruit May Reduce Dementia Risk: Study

This could be berry-sweet news for strawberry lovers.

University of Cincinnati researchers claim that eating strawberries every day could help reduce the risk of dementia for certain people of middle age.

Their findings were published last month in the journal Nutrients.

In the 12-week study, 30 overweight patients who had complained of mild cognitive impairment were asked to abstain from eating berries — except for a daily packet of supplement powder mixed with water and consumed with breakfast.

Half the participants, who were 50 to 65 years old, received a powder with the equivalent of one cup of whole strawberries (the standard serving size), while the other half got a placebo. 

The researchers tracked the participants' long-term memory, mood, and metabolic health.

University of Cincinnati researchers claim that eating strawberries every day could help reduce the risk of dementia for certain people of middle age. Dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images In the 12-week study, 30 overweight patients who had complained of mild cognitive impairment were asked to abstain from eating berries — except for a daily packet of supplement powder mixed with water and consumed with breakfast. Corbis via Getty Images

They found that those in the strawberry powder group performed better on a word-list learning test and had a significant reduction in depressive symptoms.

"Both strawberries and blueberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have been implicated in a variety of berry health benefits such as metabolic and cognitive enhancements," said Robert Krikorian, professor emeritus in the UC College of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, who studied the health effects of blueberry consumption last year.

"There is epidemiological data suggesting that people who consume strawberries or blueberries regularly have a slower rate of cognitive decline with aging," his statement continued.

Half the participants, who were 50 to 65 years old, received a powder with the equivalent of one cup of whole strawberries (the standard serving size), while the other half got a placebo. Dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Krikorian noted that strawberries also contain ellagitannins and ellagic acid, which have been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.

Krikorian said the strawberries in his study may have improved cognitive function by reducing inflammation in the brain.

"Executive abilities begin to decline in midlife and excess abdominal fat, as in insulin resistance and obesity, will tend to increase inflammation, including in the brain," he explained.

Researchers found that those in the strawberry powder group performed better on a word-list learning test and had a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. PA Images via Getty Images

"So, one might consider that our middle-aged, overweight, prediabetic sample had higher levels of inflammation that contributed to at least mild impairment of executive abilities. Accordingly, the beneficial effects we observed might be related to moderation of inflammation in the strawberry group."

Future research should feature more participants and different strawberry doses, Krikorian said.

The university acknowledged his research was supported by the California Strawberry Commission, with funding and donation of strawberry and placebo powders — but said the group had no role in the design of the study, data collection and analysis, or publication of the results.

Thomas Cook Cabin Crew 'humiliated' Strawberry Allergy Teen

A TEENAGER has hit out at a travel company after cabin crew threatened to leave her in Greece because of an allergy to strawberries.

Chloe Fitzpatrick and her boyfriend Matthew Higson were boarding their Thomas Cook flight from the Greek island of Zakynthos to Manchester last Thursday when the row broke out.

The 19-year-old, who has a severe airborne allergy to all strawberry products, informed crew as the pair boarded the plane, as she normally does when flying.

Chloe, from Oswaldtwistle, looked through the menu and informed staff of the potential risks.

They agreed to make an announcement to passengers – but then minutes later a manager came over to speak to the couple and said she was not 'comfortable' having someone with her condition on the flight.

The former Mount Carmel student said: "I was told I would have to sort out an alternative way home. 

"She then listed times where other passengers who had been refused to fly due to their allergies.

"She said the pilot had agreed with her and was not comfortable having such a passenger on board.

"I was then told it was an unfair expectation to refuse other passengers full access to the onboard menu."

It is not the first time Thomas Cook has come under fire this summer.

Pensioner Freda Jackson was given compensation for her 'nightmare trip' to Benidorm earlier this year, after complaining about a catalogue of errors on her package holiday.

She also hit national headlines over complaints about the number of locals in her hotel and even appeared on ITV's This Morning to talk about the experience.

Chloe, who now lives in Bolton-by-Bowland in the Ribble Valley, was told it would affect other passengers' flying experience and that cabin crew were not going to cater for one person 'at the expense of the other 200'.

The airline serves a range of meals on its flights and boasts online about its delicious menu created by celebrity chef James Martin.

 

Chloe added: "The manager then asked if she could serve the products just to customers at the front of the plane.

"She appeared to have no understanding of the concept of an airborne anaphylactic allergy.

"I felt belittled and patronised and embarrassed about my condition."

The cabin crew removed the products from sale – and Chloe was allowed to remain on the flight – but there was more embarrassment as the announcement was made right in front of her.

The teen said she felt humiliated and that all the other passengers were looking at her.

Chloe was diagnosed with the condition at 10 months old and the trip was her first without her parents.

Her daily battle with the allergy is featured in a film 'A day in the life of Chloe' which is being shown in schools across Lancashire to raise awareness about anaphylaxis.

She said that she had followed the same travel routine that her parents always followed for her - which was to advise cabin crew of her allergies and tell them which products put her at risk.

She said she encountered no issues on her outbound flight.

She added: "I feel very badly let down by Thomas Cook and find it difficult to comprehend the difference in attitude of the cabin crew on our way to Zakynthos compared to the way I was treated on the return flight home. 

"On our outbound flight the cabin crew were so understanding and could not have done more for me. 

"I hope lessons can be learnt from my experience and that they will review their cabin crew training."

A Thomas Cook Airlines spokesperson said: "The safety of our customers and crew is always our first priority.

When a customer lets us know that they have an allergy, the cabin manager will share the information with the captain and crew as part of their pre-flight briefing to decide on the best course of action, based on the severity of the allergy.

"On speaking with both Ms Fitzpatrick and the captain, the cabin manager made an announcement to all customers asking them to refrain from opening products containing strawberries that they may have brought on board, and advised that no products containing strawberries would be sold on the flight."

Rosalynn Carter's Timeless Strawberry Cake Recipe Is A "Carter Family Favorite"

The recipe for the former first lady's classic dessert was shared following her death.

The National Archives Museum celebrated the life and legacy of Rosalynn Carter by sharing one of her most beloved dessert recipes.

Described as a "Carter family favorite," the former first lady's strawberry cake recipe is as simple as it is classic. Printed with a letterhead from the White House, the recipe calls for packaged yellow cake mix, strawberry Jell-O, cooking oil, chopped nuts, eggs, flour, and strawberries. The instructions direct bakers to mix, bake, and serve either plain or with whipped cream.

Easy and delicious.

"Today, we honor the remarkable legacy of Rosalynn Carter, whose warmth touched the nation," the museum wrote on social media alongside a copy of the recipe. "As we remember her, we share one of her favorite recipes—a classic strawberry cake—reflecting the sweetness she brought to so many."

The museum replied with more of Rosalynn's recipes including the "Plains Special" cheese ring and her eggplant souffle.

Rosalynn died at home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 96 on Sunday, November 19. "She died peacefully, with family by her side," according to The Carter Center.

In addition to her husband, President Jimmy Carter, the former first lady is survived by their children—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Jimmy is expected to attend a public tribute service to his wife at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at the Emory University campus Tuesday. A private funeral service for family and invited friends is set to take place Wednesday morning at the couple's beloved Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.

You can find a full schedule at rosalynncartertribute.Org.

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